The hard part of bipolar for me

[2009toads]

The hard part I find about bipolar is the worrying about when the next depression is going to be.  When I am up and feeling good I try to enjoy it, and at the same time there is a little voice in my head that says it is going to end and a depression is on the way.  When I start to dip, I am trying not to panic.

Does anyone else go through this?  Any advice during these transition times?  I try to remind myself as I become depressed that I have been here before and I have gotten out of it.   But when I am tired and depressed it is hard to have that confidence.....Fatigue makes cowards of us all!

T  

[Bear13]

I'm in a hypomanic state right now... I know I am, and I hate this worse than the depression aspect....  I make irrational decisions, move at the speed of light and can't stop.... if I had a choice, I would skip the highs and deal with the lows... they seem to be easier to moderate.....  I would love to be more even right now, and know I need to go get a med check... stat.....  but now that I'm hypomanic, I'm working 12 hours a day, getting stuff done, but know that this is but a fleeting moment, and the crash is right around the corner, and that concerns me because I don't know how hard I'm going to fall....  I hate this feeling.

[2009toads]

Thanks for the support and suggestions.  Just hearing people experiencing this dilemna is helpful for me.  One theme that tends to emerge from this thread is acceptance and it is the hardest thing for me to do.  I do have a good therapist right now and I will explore it some more,

So....I will keep moving and try to keep my feet on the ground at the same time.  

T

[bernie40]

I think it's perfectly understandable to feel that way. I know I do.  It's about not letting those thoughts end up being reality that's the hard part.  I now acknowledge that I "may" have low days and just make sure to look after myself when they happen but I don't let them impede on my good days any more.  I live each day, a day at a time.

I'm not one for walking in the fresh air for 30 mins and heating super healthy food - no disrespect to those of you who do, I think you're doing great and I really should follow your example.  If I'm having a real down day, fatigued, flat etc then I "treat" myself to a quiet day, even a duvet day if necessary, nice soak in the bath and get my husband to cook the tea!

[freebird227]

I learned a long time ago that when I'm up the only place to go is down. So I try to keep things in the confort zone.I try to eat raw fruits and veg. no fried food  brown organic rice soy milk Herbal tea .Every now and then a cup   of Cafe Vienna or russian tea They both have sugar I try to keep my sleep regulated.I am also a rapid cycler.Lots and lots of water,I don't want those meds sitting there. These are things I try but sometimes mania or depression rears it's ugly head.After   first beig p***** off I gest say Hello and then do the next right thing.

[ILADVOCATE]

I tend to think in a different manner. As treatment has improved for me I prefer not being manic. Even hypomanic. Even though those appear to be "good days" everything rushes by and nothing gets done. I know because I just finished adjusting to a mood stabilizer. As per depression yes of course the best way to cope with it is to be engaged and active but I would think that with medication working moodswings that rapid cycle that much although not gone should be kept to a minimum. Of course there is talk therapy for real life issues that can bring on depression and as well cognitive behavioral therapy for redirecting the focus one has during depression. But what I do is "convert" any thoughts that are negative or destructive (or on the manic end too ego inflated) and do something constructive with them. Its a good coping technique and works each and every time.

[theguts]

I understand exactly what you are going through!!  When I feel good I worry about when am I going down, down, down again.  My husband reminds me "no negative thoughts".  Seeing a therapist has helped me.  Are you able to see a therapist?  It might help you too.
theguts

[Venora Moonwind]

Try a brisk walk for 30 mins to prevent  going into the depression. NO caffiene,sodas or sugar as these aggravate depression.
I know before I was on the right meds I would be in a depression and not even realize it untill my family would notice. then  I would go for walks to raise my dopamines levels.
I hope th is helps. We understand what it is like.
Love Venora